Dyson Relay – Wrap up

wwIn a race that stretches back to 1939, and one that St. Kevin’s had won only 6 times (1986, 1987, 1991, 1994, 1995 and 2017), it was with great expectations that our strongest Mens team for the season could bring home our 7th win in the Dyson Relay and back up last season’s triumph. If you were in any doubt how hard The Dyson Relay is to win, or the quality of athletes that contest the famous Tan circuit, the 2018 fastest time set by Old Xaverian, Matthew Clarke at 10:45 is the 9th fastest time ever around the circuit and the 4th fastest ever by an Australian!!

With this blistering run in the lead off leg SKAAC’s Joseph Deng stopped the clock at a sizzling 11:05, the 4th fastest ever for SKAAC and a massive PB for Joseph and an Under 20 SKAAC Club record. Peter Bol having his first hit out since overcoming injury stopped the clock at 11:35, handing to Brad Mathas who despite going very hard early finishing with 11:43. Rising star 18 y.o. Callum Day ran 4th leg in 12:27 followed by club legends Xavier Chapman 12:09 and Jack Holden 11:28 (only a fraction outside his PB) bringing home a famous win for SKAAC, our 7th in The Dyson.

Karen Thorp ran SKAAC’s 4th fastest ever Women’s time (13:49) around the Tan, combining with Milla Gleeson 16:28, an Under 16-Under 20 SKAAC Club record for The Tan, and Liv Mitchell (16:34 PB) and Trish Doble 18:14 helping the Women’s team to 5th place.

Plenty of other great highlights were the APSOC debuts for Ben & Tom Forster amazingly both running the same time of 14:19, and both now sharing the Under 13 SKAAC Club record.

The future was also on display with over 15 Under 20 athletes wearing the famous SKAAC colours. Matt Lynch (14:10), Pat Gigacz (14:58), Lochie McKay (14:50). Keeping the regeneration theme going, it was also great to see an Under 14 team get together with Joel Imbriano 15:14, Ben Forster 14:19, Glen Imbriano 21:12, John Cornwell 16:01, Gabe Cornwell 17:02 and Huw Warillow on debut running 17:43. Charlie Cornwell also ran a great 19:13

The vets had a great day as well, with Luke Goodman the standout securing the fastest time in the 50+ Age group (13:50), and 40+ athletes, Gerard Large (13:45) and Dino Imbriano (14:22) competing strongly in the #2 team.

A great day for SKAAC with 30 athletes facing the starter for the famous Dyson Relay, club records galore and the race win to the Mens Div 1 team.